MotoGP Race In India Postponed To March 2025

The India round of the MotoGP race has been rescheduled to early next year from September this year, due to “operational considerations”.

“Following advice from the Government of Uttar Pradesh, as the state continues its long-term commitment to MotoGP, the sport will return to the Buddh International Circuit in March 2025, when weather conditions are expected to be optimal for spectators and riders alike,” according to a statement on the MotoGP website.

Questions were raised on the India leg of the MotoGP this year, after reports surfaced that local race organiser, Fairstreet Sports, had not cleared all its dues with promoter Dorna Sports after the inaugural race last year.

“It was mutually decided to shift the race to March next year. We are looking at the first, or second week of March,” Fairstreet Sports Chief Executive Officer Pushkar Nath Srivastava told Press Trust of India. “All the stakeholders, including Dorna, agreed that the September weather is not conducive for the race and it is tough on the riders and marshals as experienced last year.”

When asked if the postponement of MotoGP Bharat had anything to do with unpaid dues, Srivastava responded with a clear “no”.

“All payments are being made in between and whatever is left will be paid by next month. So, that was not really a factor in shifting the race to next year,” he said. “We also thought of doing it in November but that would have meant four back-to-back races, which would have been tough on the teams and the riders.”

To be sure, India’s track record with international motorsports is sketchy at best.

Formula One, for which the Buddh International Circuit was constructed on the outskirts of the national capital, lasted for only three years due to financial and taxation issues. The last F1 race was held in 2013. In February 2023, Formula E came to India for the first time with a street race in Hyderabad, but the 2024 leg was scrapped after local authorities failed to fulfil the host city agreement.

Last year, MotoGP came to India for the first time—more than 50,000 fans turned up at the Buddh International Circuit, just enough to fill half of the facility. The race was won by VR46 Racing’s Marco Bezzecchi.

Dorna Sports and local promoters have signed a seven-year agreement to stage MotoGP in India. The Uttar Pradesh government, which was a sponsor last year, has now become a co-promoter, raising hopes of a long-term future of the high-profile event.